Patriotic Exchange Reveal!

I am so excited to finally be able to share with  you the results of the Patriotic stitching exchange that I participated in, hosted by Lainey at Stitched with Love Exchanges.  I've only ever participated in a couple of other exchanges, so I was really excited to be chosen to stitch for Shirlee (in KY), who's tastes are very similar to mine!  For this exchange, we were asked to stitch something patriotic, to provide a patriotic chart, and to include a number of other items (patriotic and/or stitching related).  Here's a photo of the piece I did for the exchange and the items I sent.

Happy Flag Flag Day by Trilogy

Recommended floss and fabric

I finished the stitched piece as a flat-fold, a technique I'm really enjoying using for gifted pieces.  Shirlee is a big fan of Little House Needleworks, and I was pleased that she didn't already have this pattern!  Additionally, Shirlee likes birds (especially cardinals) - I was excited to find some fat quarters that seemed to be right on target!  Lastly, Shirlee said that she really was trying to get more hand-stitched ornaments - a person after my own heart!  I enjoyed finishing "First Day" for her!  I received the nicest note from her after she opened my package - I think stitchers are the best people!!

I received the most wonderful box of items from Lisa (in NY).  I have just started on some smalls (ornaments and pillows), and just love this piece that Lisa made.

Happy 4th by Threadwork Primitives

The details are just fantastic and really make the whole piece unique and very special!  I also received many, many other charts, threads, trims, and more - Lisa was so generous!  I'm a big fan of Prairie Schooler and Shepherd's Bush and and excited to add these charts to my collection! And isn't her packaging really pretty?!

Been doing some "ghost stitching" for a designer, so nothing I can share with you at this point.  I'm also signed up for another of Lainey's great exchanges - this one with a garden theme!  I'm so thrilled to be participating!

Now, off to the gym, then a little time to take up my needle and sew before canning up tomatoes from the Farmers Market!

Becky

Christmas in July!

Christmas is my favorite time of  year, so I'm always thrilled to help celebrate it early with "Christmas in July" activities.  The CEO ("completed executed objects") Club in which I'm participating at my LQS, Quilting Adventures, is kind of like that for me... with 2 exceptions, the projects I'm working on, to be finished by the end of this month, are intended to be gifts for people at the holidays.  So I'm really excited to show you the results of my very first machine applique efforts:

I've also pieced 12 blocks for a log cabin lap quilt for my mom's birthday, which is the day after Christmas.  Like the last log cabin I did, I think I need to augment this pre-cut "kit" by adding one or two more rows to make the blocks a bit larger - sounds like a trip to the LQS is in order!  Here's a sampling of the block as it is now:

Now, back to some needlework!  Hope that you're finding the time to take  up your needle and sew!

Becky

Fat Quarter Frenzy

"Hello, my name is Becky, and I'm a fabricaholic."  I'll admit it...the fabric cupboard is overflowing, but I could not, would not pass up "Fat Quarter Frenzy" at my favorite LQS, Quilting Adventures.  "Frenzy" meant that I set the alarm, left the house early, and sat the in parking lot for 10 minutes before the store even opened... and I toyed with the idea of pushing the older lady in front of me out of the way.  What *is* it about the word "frenzy?!"  While I could have rationalized nearly every color and design coming home with me, a measure of reasonableness did prevail, and I'm thrilled with the pieces I did pick up today:

I do love the reproduction 1930s fabrics!!  And for those of you readers anywhere near Richmond, VA, the "Frenzy" is on for several more days!!

Enjoying a day off and headed over to take up my needle and sew (or quilt)!  Stay cool...
Becky

A 4th of July Finish

It was so hot outside today that I decided to really enjoy the day by just relaxing and doing some stitching.  I've been "collecting" the LHN ornament series since they started them in 2010 and committed to myself that I would *actually* stitch some (six) of them this year.  Here's my first finish!  When I sew this again, I think I will do it on a smaller count fabric - and it gives me some ideas about how to plan for the other ornaments.

LHN "Ding Dong Merrily on High"

30-count WDW parchment; suggested CC and DMC

Hope you have found some time to wave a flag and reflect today on this great country of ours!  'Til next time, I'm off to take up my needle and sew (another ornament!).

Becky

Great Give-Away!

In honor of her birthday, Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe, is hosting a give-away blow-out blast!  This is a great opportunity to win some of her beautiful hand-dyed floss or one of her marvelous charts.  Don't miss it!!!